
          Washington City Decem [December] 12th 1849.

Respected Sir,

Enclosed is a receipt for a box, which I have
delivered to Adam's Express.  It contains a [few shells for Mrs
Torrey, and also two pieces of Tortoise-shell, to make combs for
Miss Margaret; All of which I hope will reach you safe. They
are a very poor gift to send to your lady, and withall rudely
packed, but no opportunity was offered me to do it more to my
taste; and I would ask it as a favour, that my name be not 
mentioned in relation to them, so long as I am attached
to Uncle Sams Ex. [Exploring] Ex. [Expedition] and this I do for reasons which you
will comprehend at once, And should ever] Uncle S. [Sam] be
just enough to give me back my collection of shells, for most
of them I purchased; then I promise to send Mrs T. [Torrey] something
more worthy of her taste and care.

I had the pleasure on last Saturday of meeting
in the Patent Office, Miss Torrey, and another young Lady from
your Town, and was happy to have it in my power to shew [show] them
our Natl [Natural] History Collections and other Nic Nacks [knickknacks], with which
they appeared much pleased, and promised to call us again,
which they did yesterday, during my absence to dinner, leaving
your letter for me Enclosing a notefor Mr Rich, which will
be attended to.  He has given me his few ferns, and I think you will
get the other plants, after he has got a little time to think over the matter.
        